Organizer: Ralph Panstruga – RWTH Aachen University
Organizer: Marion C. Müller – Technical University Munich, Chair of Phytopathology
Organizer: Isabel Saur
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Large panels of plant cell-surface and intracellular receptors recognize invading pathogens and activate immune responses which prevent or slow disease. This session aims to highlight recent advances in understanding mechanisms of host-pathogen recognition, immunity signaling and convergent defense execution pathways. We hope to cover genetic, genomic, biochemical and structural insights into immunity homeostasis and activation as well as the co-evolutionary dynamics of plant-microbe interactions impacting disease, emphasizing cutting-edge research in pattern- and effector-triggered immunity.
Large panels of plant cell-surface and intracellular receptors recognize invading pathogens and activate immune responses which prevent or slow disease. This session aims to highlight recent advances in understanding mechanisms of host-pathogen recognition, immunity signaling and convergent defense execution pathways. We hope to cover genetic, genomic, biochemical and structural insights into immunity homeostasis and activation as well as the co-evolutionary dynamics of plant-microbe interactions impacting disease, emphasizing cutting-edge research in pattern- and effector-triggered immunity.
Emerging and established plant diseases pose a significant threat to global food security, challenging efforts to sustainably feed a growing population. This session will explore innovative, environmentally friendly strategies for disease management, including genetic resistance and integrated pest management. Emphasising translational science, we will showcase successful examples of how lab-based discoveries have been effectively implemented in field applications, benefiting both commercial agriculture and smallholder farmers. Additionally, we will highlight the benefits of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovation and scaling solutions to address diverse agricultural needs globally.
Emerging and established plant diseases pose a significant threat to global food security, challenging efforts to sustainably feed a growing population. This session will explore innovative, environmentally friendly strategies for disease management, including genetic resistance and integrated pest management. Emphasising translational science, we will showcase successful examples of how lab-based discoveries have been effectively implemented in field applications, benefiting both commercial agriculture and smallholder farmers. Additionally, we will highlight the benefits of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovation and scaling solutions to address diverse agricultural needs globally.
This session explores the diverse strategies which microbes employ to establish interactions with plants, whether as pathogens or beneficial partners. Beyond defence suppression, it could investigate microbe-targeted plant pathways for nutrient acquisition, manipulation of plant signaling networks, and adaptation towards niche colonization. The session also invites abstracts to cover, how microbes balance resource competition and host compatibility, revealing the ecological dynamics of infection strategies and vector-borne diseases. Presentations will highlight cutting-edge research that unravels these mechanisms and their evolutionary drivers, as well as potential applications in sustainable agriculture.
This session explores the diverse strategies which microbes employ to establish interactions with plants, whether as pathogens or beneficial partners. Beyond defence suppression, it could investigate microbe-targeted plant pathways for nutrient acquisition, manipulation of plant signaling networks, and adaptation towards niche colonization. The session also invites abstracts to cover, how microbes balance resource competition and host compatibility, revealing the ecological dynamics of infection strategies and vector-borne diseases. Presentations will highlight cutting-edge research that unravels these mechanisms and their evolutionary drivers, as well as potential applications in sustainable agriculture.
Microbial pathogens, nematodes, and arthropods manipulate plant processes through effectors that target defenses and developmental pathways, including those driving the formation of elaborate galls. These effectors often promote the growth and survival of plant colonizers while exposing critical plant processes, akin to Achilles' heels, essential for plant function. Studying effectors and their targets reveals opportunities to enhance crop production and identify cellular pathways with applications beyond plant biology. This session highlights the remarkable actions of effectors and their transformative potential in advancing agricultural and biological research.
Microbial pathogens, nematodes, and arthropods manipulate plant processes through effectors that target defenses and developmental pathways, including those driving the formation of elaborate galls. These effectors often promote the growth and survival of plant colonizers while exposing critical plant processes, akin to Achilles' heels, essential for plant function. Studying effectors and their targets reveals opportunities to enhance crop production and identify cellular pathways with applications beyond plant biology. This session highlights the remarkable actions of effectors and their transformative potential in advancing agricultural and biological research.
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Plants rely on both short- and long-distance immune signaling networks to halt and prevent microbial infections. However, these networks are frequently targeted by mutualistic and pathogenic microbes to facilitate infections. Recent advancements have even suggested the existence of a connection between peptides produced in the roots, which are associated with plant growth and nutrition status, and leaf immune responses. This further expands the scope of questions regarding inter-organ signaling in both pathogenic and mutualistic interactions. In this session, we aim to present our current understanding of local and inter-organ signaling in plant immunity, encompassing both priming the host immune system against future pathogenic infections and enhancing plant nutrition through mutualism.
Plants rely on both short- and long-distance immune signaling networks to halt and prevent microbial infections. However, these networks are frequently targeted by mutualistic and pathogenic microbes to facilitate infections. Recent advancements have even suggested the existence of a connection between peptides produced in the roots, which are associated with plant growth and nutrition status, and leaf immune responses. This further expands the scope of questions regarding inter-organ signaling in both pathogenic and mutualistic interactions. In this session, we aim to present our current understanding of local and inter-organ signaling in plant immunity, encompassing both priming the host immune system against future pathogenic infections and enhancing plant nutrition through mutualism.
This session brings together cutting-edge research on plant-nematode and plant-parasitic plant interactions. Discover how molecular mechanisms shape these complex relationships, driving both parasitism and defense strategies. From signaling pathways to host manipulation, this session covers the genetic and biochemical underpinnings of these interactions. Join us to uncover shared themes and unique strategies employed by parasitic organisms, fostering discussions that can inspire innovative approaches in plant protection and sustainable agriculture.
This session brings together cutting-edge research on plant-nematode and plant-parasitic plant interactions. Discover how molecular mechanisms shape these complex relationships, driving both parasitism and defense strategies. From signaling pathways to host manipulation, this session covers the genetic and biochemical underpinnings of these interactions. Join us to uncover shared themes and unique strategies employed by parasitic organisms, fostering discussions that can inspire innovative approaches in plant protection and sustainable agriculture.
This session aims to highlight advancements in identifying crop resistance and susceptibility genes, and understanding their mechanism. It will cover novel resistance gene discoveries through pan-genome and multi-omics approaches, durable resistance trait stacking, innovative genome engineering strategies, and integration into breeding programs.
This session aims to highlight advancements in identifying crop resistance and susceptibility genes, and understanding their mechanism. It will cover novel resistance gene discoveries through pan-genome and multi-omics approaches, durable resistance trait stacking, innovative genome engineering strategies, and integration into breeding programs.
Microbe-mediated plant-insect interactions are a complex and rapidly expanding field of research. Soil microbial communities influence trophic interactions above and below ground, shaping plant, herbivore, and microbial dynamics. Beneficial soil microbes can enhance plant pest resistance, while insect herbivory induces root-exuded chemicals that attract specific microbes. Microbes associated with phytophagous insects further modulate insect-plant interactions by altering immune signaling, stress-related phytohormones, and inter-kingdom communication, as well as detoxifying plant defense compounds. These intricate interactions reveal the critical roles of microbes in shaping plant and insect ecology, emphasizing their broader ecological and evolutionary significance.
Microbe-mediated plant-insect interactions are a complex and rapidly expanding field of research. Soil microbial communities influence trophic interactions above and below ground, shaping plant, herbivore, and microbial dynamics. Beneficial soil microbes can enhance plant pest resistance, while insect herbivory induces root-exuded chemicals that attract specific microbes. Microbes associated with phytophagous insects further modulate insect-plant interactions by altering immune signaling, stress-related phytohormones, and inter-kingdom communication, as well as detoxifying plant defense compounds. These intricate interactions reveal the critical roles of microbes in shaping plant and insect ecology, emphasizing their broader ecological and evolutionary significance.
A constant challenge in agriculture is the emergence of new plant diseases. Correct identification and characterisation of emerging pathogens is essential for the development of effective control strategies. In addition, understanding the evolutionary origin of new pathogens in agricultural production systems may help to prevent future outbreaks. This session aims to present research on emerging plant pathogens, including genome-based studies intended at identifying genetic changes associated with new adaptive strategies. The session will emphasise the importance of correct diagnostics and characterisation of genetic diversity at local and global scales to infer the evolutionary potential of emerging plant pathogens.
A constant challenge in agriculture is the emergence of new plant diseases. Correct identification and characterisation of emerging pathogens is essential for the development of effective control strategies. In addition, understanding the evolutionary origin of new pathogens in agricultural production systems may help to prevent future outbreaks. This session aims to present research on emerging plant pathogens, including genome-based studies intended at identifying genetic changes associated with new adaptive strategies. The session will emphasise the importance of correct diagnostics and characterisation of genetic diversity at local and global scales to infer the evolutionary potential of emerging plant pathogens.
This session explores pioneering approaches in synthetic biology and artificial intelligence to engineer plant-microbe traits. It will cover how AI-driven protein design and synthetic biology approaches can support novel plant functions and influence plant-microbe interactions. Key topics include enhancing plant nutrition by engineering endogenous nitrogen fixation and developing advanced strategies for disease resistance. The session will present research focused on interdisciplinary solutions for agricultural sustainability, exploring how computational tools and bioengineering can contribute to advancements in plant science and address challenges in global food security.
This session explores pioneering approaches in synthetic biology and artificial intelligence to engineer plant-microbe traits. It will cover how AI-driven protein design and synthetic biology approaches can support novel plant functions and influence plant-microbe interactions. Key topics include enhancing plant nutrition by engineering endogenous nitrogen fixation and developing advanced strategies for disease resistance. The session will present research focused on interdisciplinary solutions for agricultural sustainability, exploring how computational tools and bioengineering can contribute to advancements in plant science and address challenges in global food security.
Plant-microbe interactions are heterogeneous due to the diversity of cell types within tissues, the uneven distribution of microbial niches, and the asynchronous nature of individual cellular interactions. This heterogeneity can obscure fundamental principles of cellular interactions when analyzed at the tissue scale. This session will bring together researchers–across geography, career stages and experimental systems–interested in discerning the heterogeneity at the plant-microbe interface in space and time. In addition, it will be of particular interest to those interested in exploring the potential of the latest imaging and genomics techniques, including single-cell and spatial omics technologies, in advancing MPMI research.
Plant-microbe interactions are heterogeneous due to the diversity of cell types within tissues, the uneven distribution of microbial niches, and the asynchronous nature of individual cellular interactions. This heterogeneity can obscure fundamental principles of cellular interactions when analyzed at the tissue scale. This session will bring together researchers–across geography, career stages and experimental systems–interested in discerning the heterogeneity at the plant-microbe interface in space and time. In addition, it will be of particular interest to those interested in exploring the potential of the latest imaging and genomics techniques, including single-cell and spatial omics technologies, in advancing MPMI research.
This session examines how structural biology informs the engineering of plant immune receptors and signalling pathways. We seek abstracts on structure-guided approaches to engineer immune recognition specificity and modify signalling networks. Areas include computational prediction of receptor-ligand interactions, experimental validation of engineered immune components, and development of screening platforms. We welcome work combining structural analysis with functional studies in plant immunity. Of particular interest are studies addressing technical challenges in synthetic biology approaches to plant immunity, including receptor stability optimization, achieving signalling specificity, and rational design of novel recognition capabilities.
This session examines how structural biology informs the engineering of plant immune receptors and signalling pathways. We seek abstracts on structure-guided approaches to engineer immune recognition specificity and modify signalling networks. Areas include computational prediction of receptor-ligand interactions, experimental validation of engineered immune components, and development of screening platforms. We welcome work combining structural analysis with functional studies in plant immunity. Of particular interest are studies addressing technical challenges in synthetic biology approaches to plant immunity, including receptor stability optimization, achieving signalling specificity, and rational design of novel recognition capabilities.
